Rockler Mixing Mate® Paint Lid, Gallon Size - Stir, Pour, and Store!

Overview

The Mixing Mate® Paint Lid makes mixing and pouring paints and finishes as easy and mess-free as pouring syrup from a restaurant-style dispenser. Forget the lid opener, stir stick, punching holes in the rim with a nail and hammer, paint pouring down the side of the can, and trying to bang the lid back onto a gummed up rim without deforming it. The Mixing Mate® Paint Lid eliminates all of these problems.

Whether you're pouring paint into a tray, or stain and varnish into your paint gun, you'll appreciate the easy, drip-free action offered by the Mixing Mate®. Simply crank the handle, press the thumb lever and pour. No drips, no mess, no wasted finish. The auger-style mixing paddle lifts pigments from the bottom of the can, doing in seconds what would take minutes with a messy, wasteful stir stick. And when you're done, simply set the can back on the shelf for storage. Also available from Rockler, the Mixing Mate® Quart Size Paint Lid.

This is my third Mixing Mate. I am painting siding and trim for my house before I install it. These keep the mess to a minimum and the paint stays fresh while the Mixing mate is in place. Why three? My wife says white is boring.

I purchased two of these, one qt. and one gal. size along with a HVLP sprayer, makes mixing, straining and pouring so much easier. First use, I was careful to completely clean the gal. one and replace the lid on the can. I had left the qt. one on the can and after about 6mos sitting in the garage, removed it to use on another can. The 1/2" of paint in the bottom of the can had not skinned over and was still useable!! These lids kept a better air tight seal than I thought. Makes life much easier

This is my third Mixing Mate. I am painting siding and trim for my house before I install it. These keep the mess to a minimum and the paint stays fresh while the Mixing mate is in place. Why three? My wife says white is boring.

I purchased two of these, one qt. and one gal. size along with a HVLP sprayer, makes mixing, straining and pouring so much easier. First use, I was careful to completely clean the gal. one and replace the lid on the can. I had left the qt. one on the can and after about 6mos sitting in the garage, removed it to use on another can. The 1/2" of paint in the bottom of the can had not skinned over and was still useable!! These lids kept a better air tight seal than I thought. Makes life much easier

BEST ANSWER:I had no problem with lacquer based paint or conversion lacquer. Cleaned up easily and did not seem to soften plastic. left on can for 4 days. not sure if i would leave on for extended periods but clean up was easy so not a problem.

BEST ANSWER:I had no problem with lacquer based paint or conversion lacquer. Cleaned up easily and did not seem to soften plastic. left on can for 4 days. not sure if i would leave on for extended periods but clean up was easy so not a problem.

Michael, I am sorry to say that we have only used this item with enamel and latex paints and it works GREAT! My wife loves this tool. It really has saved us money on paint. It really does what is presented. As for the lacquer, I cannot say if it will work. My concern would be the actual clean up of the tool if you are thinking of using it for paint afterward. Also, the moving parts might become very sticky and gummy. I am sorry I can't give you more information, but maybe this will clarify things a bit!

You are taking a HUGE risk by using this for food service and gambling with the health of anyone you serve food to. Spend a few more bucks and buy something specifically made for food service - unless you only cook for yourself.

Is this compatible with automotive paints like urethanes and epoxy primers?

A shopper
on Jul 24, 2015

BEST ANSWER:I can't see why it wouldn't work as it works with interior and exterior oil based paints... the only thing is, there will be a little longer clean up time involved because you have to use a thinner or mineral spirits. ill tell you what, I have been using this thing for about 6 months and I love it! makes life so easy if you have a lot of painting to do or touch ups because you can control to poor with great accuracy and that helps from wasting paint and that helps to save $$$

BEST ANSWER:I can't see why it wouldn't work as it works with interior and exterior oil based paints... the only thing is, there will be a little longer clean up time involved because you have to use a thinner or mineral spirits. ill tell you what, I have been using this thing for about 6 months and I love it! makes life so easy if you have a lot of painting to do or touch ups because you can control to poor with great accuracy and that helps from wasting paint and that helps to save $$$

Reviews

I loved the idea of these with some skepticism but decided to give them a whirl (yes, pun intended) when they were on sale. I bought 1-gallon & 2 quart Mixing Mates and I must say that I really like them. I had no trouble at all with them locking and fitting onto the can and the paint could not be mixed any easier or better. You can bank I'll be back for more when/if the need arises.

I really love this smartly designed tool. It eliminates what I consider to be the messiest part of painting - pouring out the paint and putting the lid back on. I used it when I was painting baseboard trim a few boards at a time. It didn't seem like such a job to get started each time when I knew it would be so quick and easy to pour out what I needed into a paint cup and go.

This is the best thing I have found in a long time. When using different paints on a project having the mixing mate provides a good seal on your paint can, a pour spout and a built in mixer. It is so easy to refresh the paint with a few turns of the mixing lever keeping your color consistent on the project.

I have a few gallon and quart versions. It does exactly what is advertised and I would recommend these to anyone. Great product! Tight seal! Easy to mix and pour. Takes the misery out of the dripping MESSY pail of paint. Worth every penny.

Purchased two quart sizes. The one gallon is new at this time, but it has been shipped but not delivered. I used the quart size. Just as excellent as the video shows... easy to use and easy to clean and easy to store paint, though I only did for a short period of time (days) or until my projects are completed. You will easily spend the same amount on pouring accessories by purchasing other gadgetry for painting, but none, so far, are as mess-free as this gadget. I think it's worth every cent of it's retail cost. If it goes on sale, buy more than one if you paint more than occasionally (like, for projects, etc.) Definitely a "buy it" recommendation from me (and I am a retired wanna-be hobbyist).

I purchased the quart and gallon Mixing Mates and have used both. They are an incredible addition to my painting tool cache. The are well made and easy to assemble. I used both on a bar cabinet wall which required several days between paint coats and loved the way I could leave the lids in place and not have to take them off. I found that the mixer worked better than using a drill and mixer bit and also love the way the spout seals between pours. Most of all, I like being able to pour as little paint and not mess up the paint can lid or even spill paint all over the side of the can. The handle has a good feel and with the lid clamps in place, I know I'm not going to spill paint. These items are worth every penny.

I have tried many types of paint lids that can be used for storage and pouring, but the Mixing Mate is by far the best I have ever used. It seals the paint tightly and the pouring and resealing could not be easier. I am ordering more!

An extremely useful product for $! No more drips down the side of the can, no more worries as to what to do with the stir stick, or trying to find one. This product mixes 10 times better than the old stick ever could. I bought three the first time I saw them advertised, two gallon and one quart size. I have no regrets other than I wish I was the one who had invented this. I was concerned about it holding a whole gallon while pouring, but it held up with ease, solid seal around the top of the can and again no drips!

I just received the gallon sized top yesterday and used it this morning and all I can say is it is well worth it. I have been painting six folding art show display shelves I just built and have to set them on a saw horse and paint one side...wait for it to dry and then paint the other. I painted two of the displays before receiving the Mixing mate and had to pour small amounts of paint at a time from the can so as to not waste paint...a messy job...constantly closing and opening the can.Put the Mixing mate on today and I find that I just pour a little bit of paint as needed without mess and frustration. I an gonna buy another...

Another winner from Rockler! I recently purchased this item and couldn't be more pleased. A side benefit is the remarks I get from customers when I bring paint to a jobsite and demonstrate to them what I found. The no spill pour option is a crowd pleaser when I show people just how completely the paint is contained even if knocked over. Nice job Rockler!

I received the gallon sized Mixing Mate just in time to paint our den and kitchen. All I can say, is this tool made my painting much easier since I did not have to keep cleaning up a messy paint can. The Mixing Mate went together in a snap, and attached to the gallon can easily, perfectly sealed and now easily stirred every time I needed more paint. It is now on the white paint for all of the trim, and when my wife finishes that I plan more painting in my office. Painting and constant cleanup is no longer a chore, just a challange for me to get done - bad knees and back that will take something more than this to correct! Thank you Rockler for creating such a great tool.

I decided to give this a try based on some other good reviews and a few decent youtube video testimonials. I am very glad I did. This paint dispenser makes life easier. I had a project that required many re-coats and many rotations of the piece to get everything covered. The old way of mixing with sticks and spilling all over was aggravating. With this thing, I just leave it on my gallon can, pour as much or little as I need in my cup, and paint away. If I need a little more, I just give the handle a few more turns and pour a little more. The lid seals nice and tight to the can, and the pour spout lid seals tight too. There is little risk, if any, of spilling paint from a bumped can. With this device I actually look forward to finishing my projects instead of dreading it. Highly recommended.. Keep up the good work Rockler!

My gallon mixing mate arrived just in time for a good workout. I painted four rooms, ceilings and walls. Used five different colors and pulled an all nighter doing it. I didn't have to worry about my usual mess mixing, stirring, and pouring paint. Cleanup was so fast I didn't worry about changing from one color to another. I was able to complete one room at a time, clean up, and move on to the next room's ceiling with just a few minutes clean up. No spatters from closing paint filled rims on cans, either. I was really impressed with the no drip shut off. Highly recommended.

I purchased the one gallon size MixingMate for one purpose: To dispense wipe-on varnish a bit at a time as needed. From my local supplier I bought two empty one gallon cans with lids, one to mix and dispense the varnish and mineral spirits, and for long term storage of unused varnish and the other dedicated for cleaning the MixingMate when I finish each project. I am using a satin finish varnish, so it is very important to stir it every time just before dispensing to keep the flattening agent from settling on the bottom of the can. So far I have given 5 coats to three different setups of various cabinet components. I can't imagine doing this project without the MixingMate. Excellent product. As the newer paints stay dispersed very well for long periods of time, I am not sure I would use it for a room painting project, however just the dispensing properties of the can may make it worth the while.

When I first saw the Mixing Mate Paint Lid I wondered if it would really work as advertised so I ordered one just to try it out. I received it before I expected it (as with all Rockler orders) and just tried it out. Boy, am I glad I got it. Not only does it work as advertised but I have reduced wasted polyurethane not only while pouring, but also being able to measure out small quantities with the great pour spout. It takes much less time to prepare for work as well. No mixing sticks or spills and easy clean up. I can't say enough good about this product and will be ordering more. Thanks Rockler!

I rated this excellent because it is! not perfect, as some reviews have stated, but I have used both the quart and gallon versions enough that make me extremely satisfied with the performance, cleaning, and functionality. I have done it the old way... the drill or stick for stirring, the messy lids with special plastic groove-cleaning gizmos, and so on. I've purchased the plastic pour lids, the pour spouts, etc. This product's convenience makes it tops in my book. Paint is paint, however, and dry paint is dry paint and one must be a bit "smart" and "logical" in the use of the products - relish its ease of use, its efficiencies in keeping paint overnight or for several days, its cleanliness, but be watchful of the human tendency toward laziness in keeping the product focused on its mission of assisting your work habits. It's a great tool - treat it accordingly. It deserves the excellent rating. If you factor in the inefficiencies of the human worker, it will dive down from its excellent rating. The lower the rating, the more the human element of laziness and neglect has been factored into consideration. This is a good product.

After only one episode of mixing and pouring expensive urethane auto paint the traditional way and seeing how much gets wasted, I jumped at the chance to try this gadget, and it exceeded my wildest expectations. Just like the old syrup dispensers resteraunts used to use. What else can I say except that it really does work, and it works really, really well!

I purchased the quart and gallon Mixing Mates more than a year ago and have used both extensively. Excellent quality and easy to use, but more so, great when I'm painting and touching up over a period of time and don't want to put a lid back on the paint can. The longest I left the Mixing Mate on a paint can is several months. After that amount of time, I expected the unit to be gummed up and not worth cleaning. I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to clean and put back in service. This is a must item for any homeowner or someone who does a lot of painting. It also helps alleviate spills.

These are the bomb! We are a custom cabinet shop and custom mix all our own stains. These mixing mates allow us to have some base stains ( we have 7) and quickly and precisely mix up any amount, pouring however much you need from multiple cans, Then you simply put the mixing mates back on the shelf until next time.

Great idea and a very useful product. Only problem I had was not taking the locks apart when cleaning the first one I got. Paint dried in orfice and froze the lock up. Kind of a pain to take them off and clean, but will prove worthwhile for future jobs.

I have tried various gadgets to make it easier to pour paint and reduce the drips, etc., and none of them can touch this thing. I bought one to try it and liked it so much, I bought two more for an apartment that we are repainting. The lid seals tightly, and the no drip pour function is absolutely the best. It is easy to pour out just a little and not have to worry about drips down the side, or spills. Using this, my cans all look brand new and there is no paint hiding what the can contains. I have not had to clean one yet but I still recommend this product without reservation.

They work as advertised and are of good quality. I have been a cabinetmaker for 27 years and have done my own finishing for most of that time. I used the gallon version with oil based paint and conversion lacquer and was concerned about clean up or the plastic getting soft. clean up was easy and it did not seem to affect the plastic. Good Product. Ordered more in quart size for my stain matching system.

I am finishing up some trim outside and need to be able to pour small amounts of paint from a gallon can. The paint had also settled and needed a very good mixing. I put one of these things on the can, adjusted the paddle depth to be just off the bottom and started stirring. After about 100 revolutions I tried the paint by pouring it into a small roller tray. The paint was perfectly mixed and the pour was dripless. It works as advertised. It is a little pricey, but it saves a lot of time and eliminates a lot of mess so I won't knock it for price. I will definitely buy a quart sized one and probably another gallon sized for when I am using two colors on a project.

I have four of these, so I really like them. It is great for touch-up work as I can pour a small amount into a cup and not worry with opening a can and trying to pour the small amount. However, I would make one improvement to the design. It is awkward to carry a gallon pail by the pour handle. Having a handle that clears the stirring handle and then swings down and locks into the pour handle would be a great improvement.

Unit works very well...Would have given it 5 stars but I had a problem with the paddle / auger breaking when I cleaned the unit after using it on only one gallon of paint...The biggest problem being Rockler does not have any replacement parts available...Be extremely careful when you handle these units...

I agree about ease of use. I was skeptical about cleanup because of all the nooks and crannies on the underside. It cleaned very easily with the exception of the cam locks. It is impossible to reach the side of the cam locks nearest the lid. I tried to see if one could disassemble the cam locks for cleaning, but could not figure out how. If they could be disassembled, this would be the perfect piece of equipment. I think, that eventually, sufficient paint would build up in the inaccessible area to cause a problem.

Just an FYI, it is not meant for long term storage of items with solvent-based finishes. In the directions it states that with solvent bases finishes it should be removed and cleaned within hours of use.

I've been using this while painting the inside of my house and have mixed feelings about how much of a time saver it really is. It certainly makes mixing the paint a snap and makes dispensing paint almost idiot proof, but if you let the paint sit on it for any period of time (say enough time to do 2 coats of the dining room) cleaning is a real chore. If there's a 2nd version, I'd like to see it redesigned a little bit so that there are fewer nooks and crannies and the corners aren't so tight so that it's easier to clean.

As an engineer I thought this was a great product concept, so I purchased the quart-size unit. However, I found it very difficult to use: the plastic shaft holding the paddles was rough, causing it to bind in the rough hole in the lid, making it difficult to turn the impeller. If the shaft had been made of smooth steel instead of cheap plastic this problem would not occur. The retaining cams were EXTREMELY difficult (at least for my 82-year-old fingers) to turn to lock the lid to the paint can (a shot of WD-40 helped only slightly). Overall, very disappointing. The French inventors should have turned this design over to the Swiss or Germans to manufacture it. I may have received a defective unit and I'm tempted to return it and try for a replacement. I would have gladly paid twice the price for a quality-built product.

I've had this (gallon size) Mixing Mate for some time now and have used it twice. Until yesterday I would have rated it a 5, but now I've cut that to a 2. Here's why. It's a great idea and works as stated. Great time saver and convenience. But -- the cam locks (four of them that clamp the top down) are plastic, and plastic is not steel, and may break when force is applied to it (which is necessary here to turn the locking cam). So this second time I used it, after it had been sitting on the shelf for half a year or so, one of the cams broke when I applied the downward and turning action necessary to lock the cam. Ok, plastic parts can break; they're plastic and molded, and molds can sometimes have imperfections, so I thought I'd just order a replacement for this plastic piece. BUT...not available! So I will have to shell out the cost for another product that MAY work as it should for a long time...or? For now, as great as this product is, I'm not sure I want to take another chance. For now, I'll just use a plastic paint can cover with pouring spout that I picked up some time ago for a couple of bucks, and mix the paint with an old fashioned wood stirring paddle.

I tried it twice on two different gallon paint cans. It would not sit completely into the cans so the top could be secured to allow stirring of the paint. Needless to say, it's never been used again and considered a waste of money. Maybe the cans being sold now are not actually a full gallon can, thus it's too tall. Editor's note: To adjust depth of paddles in a can one can simply pull the shaft farther through the top of the Mixing Mate lid.

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Our price is lower than the manufacturer's "minimum advertised price." As a result, we cannot show you the price in catalog or the product page.

You have no obligation to purchase the product once you know the price. You can simply remove the item from your cart.

What People are Saying:

I have been using Rockler for years, your products are always the best that can be purchased and your prices are very reasonable. Ann you have always done your best to make me feel as though I was your very best customer. Thank you for great service."

- Daniel F.

What People are Saying:

I have been using Rockler for years, your products are always the best that can be purchased and your prices are very reasonable. Ann you have always done your best to make me feel as though I was your very best customer. Thank you for great service."